Pakistan's leader says he's open to talks with taliban

Tuesday

Aug 20, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Salman Masood, THE NEW YORK TIMES

ISLAMABAD — In his first televised policy speech to the country since assuming office in June, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday hinted at his government's inclination to hold talks with Taliban militants even while maintaining the option of military action against them.

"Like every Pakistani, I want an early end to this bloodshed, whether it is through the process of dialogue or heavy use of the state force," Sharif said. "Being the prime minister, every Pakistani is my kith and kin. I cannot shoulder the funerals of my sons every day."

Militant violence has continued at a high rate during Sharif's first weeks back in office, with at least 70 attacks during the past two months, including a major prison break and an attack on a regional headquarters of Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate, the main spy agency.

The perception in Pakistan is that the pace of attacks has at least partly derailed Sharif's desire to focus on the economic challenges facing Pakistan, and in particular the country's crippling electricity crisis.

Sharif said that he is willing to "hold dialogue with those who have unfortunately adopted extremism." Still, he warned that "we have more than one option to deal with terrorists — but wisdom and mindset demand such a way out as to avoid further loss of innocent lives."

The speech at times felt like a lament over the general state of lawlessness, institutional degradation and dysfunction in the country.

And Sharif again emphasized his plans to fix the economy and utility shortages, including increasing trading and energy ties with China, which he said would be a "game-changer" for the country.